Jalen Williams say he is “blessed” and could not have envisaged scoring a career playoff-high 40 points in the NBA finals to put the Oklahoma City Thunder a win away from the title.
The Thunder held off a Pacers rally from 18 points behind late in the second quarter at the Paycom Center, establishing a 3-2 lead in the series with the help of a star turn from Williams and 31 points from guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“It feels so different to a regular-season game,” said Williams. “I didn’t even really notice that I had it going. I was just playing so hard that everything in the game felt second to what was going on.
“I wouldn’t even say I was in a flow state – I was just so absorbed in the game that I wasn’t really thinking about how many points I had or how many times I’d scored. Every time you play in the finals, it’s the biggest game of your life.”
After their 18-point lead was cut to 2 early in the 4th quarter…
OKC RESPONDED.
Their definitive 21-8 run has them 1 win from the first title of the franchise’s @okcthunder era 🚨 pic.twitter.com/oDqPyKkyVd
— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
📰 Table Of Contents
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers
Teams with leads of 15 points or more in the finals had gone on to win in 80 out of 89 instances since 1997, but the Pacers – who had Pascal Siakam to thank for 28 of their points – came within three points of drawing level.
Williams said a game against opponents who are as “close-knit” as his team is “such a rare thing” and put the Thunders’ strength down to “team chemistry”.
“[Cason Wallace] picks up 94 feet, the whole game,” he observed. “That in itself is a lot. This is Cason’s second year – for him to be able to change his game into something we need takes a lot of maturity.
“It’s the same with [Aaron Wiggins] – to not play and then come in and have to make shots right away is a hard task and something he’s got really good at. It makes him such a special basketball player.
“The culture of our team is that everybody’s ready to do whatever it takes to win. We have a very mature group in regards to knowing what to do and when to plug in. Everyone’s selfless and ready to plug away at something for the good of the team.”
JDUB DELIVERS A GAME 5 MASTERPIECE 💯🔥
⚡️ 40 PTS (playoff career high)
⚡️ 24 PTS in 2H
⚡️ 14-25 FGM
⚡️ 3rd-straight 25+ PT game@okcthunder are now just 1 win away from an NBA Championship! pic.twitter.com/XQHbkCB2rz— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2025
NBA finals: Pacers vs Thunder
The Thunder will seek a third consecutive win when they visit Indiana on Thursday (20:30 ET). “I understand the opportunity we have and try to play as hard as I can,” said Williams.
“Whatever happens after that is where the chips fall. I’d be lying if I said I could have imagined doing what I did, but I definitely could have seen myself here a long time ago – I just didn’t think it would happen this fast and be with a group of guys I truly am grateful to be around.
“I’m extremely fortunate that I have a coach and a staff and teammates that allow me to have those ugly plays during the year and figure out my game.
“It’s paid off – I understand the level of physicality that I have to [show] in order to be good. I’m just blessed to be in a situation where everybody wants everybody to succeed.
“I’m in a really good situation that’s allowed me to grow as a player at a more rapid rate because I’m not worried about what will happen if I fail.
“I have guys who I know are going to pick me up if I feel short and I try to do the same for them.”
